Since my timing belt broke and I gave up using cars I have been cycle and hike camping.
Several people have shown an interest but when invited they never seem to have the right kit to join me on a trip. So the objective of my current project is to build up a guest set.
Over the years one upgrades and replaces camping gear as stuff wears out, loses components or you simply want better. Not wishing to throw out serviceable or repairable equipment I have most of what is needed. My Coleman Vail tent lost it's poles so I am replacing them at last (really difficult to do cheaply in aluminium). Having replaced my cycle panniers and big rucksack I still have the old ones in a worn but useable condition. I have had to buy a nearly new Vango sleeping bag on Ebay, complete with inner washable liner, and got the cheapest sleeping mat from Sports Direct. While I was there I couldn't resist the pocket magnetic chess set.
I have a spare mess kit, since I bought myself a new non stick one but had to buy a cheap cutlery set.
I already have 3 lightweight gas stoves so don't need any more.
In the late 1970's my brother bought an already old 2nd hand bike when he went to Cambridge, he gave it to my father, who asked me to throw it away before he died. Last week I stripped off the mudguards and Ever Ready back light, painted it in Hammeright Smooth to hide the rust and replaced the front tyre, it already has a rear luggage rack, but no water bottle screw holes.
Once the new tent poles arrive and are cut to size I will have a complete guest set ready for cycling or walking.
Somewhere in the loft are 2 more 1970's pack frames, all I need to do is make bags to go on them, match them up with my 3 man tent and get a few more bits ........

I'm looking into doing a similar thing. I just need a large rucksack, an inflatable mat and maybe another sleeping bag, then my oh can join me when the weather is going to be better. She has gotten into walking, in her words "it's like a light has suddenly switched on." Last year she wouldn't have even considered it, so I'm very pleased.

There maybe times when other people may want to come just to try it out, and not want to commit to the initial expense. Perhaps, I could even turn it into a business..... (I wouldn't turn my haven into a job, no way!!)

-------------The true test of fairness is how fair you are to those who are not

Not so girlie. If Heather gets into it then she can choose her own equipment. I don't feel that too many blokes would appreciate 'girl' colours! (the links didn't work, so I can only go on what I could find)

I use the Vango Nitestar 400, which has served me well. It's not the lightest or the warmest, but it's ok for my use.

-------------The true test of fairness is how fair you are to those who are not

My new lightweight flexible aluminium Chinese tent poles arrived yesterday from Ebay. I had to remove one pole section from each pole and shorten the end section by 6" to fit my tent.
The tent, a Coleman Vail is a mini dome tent with a tunnel end. It uses the older eyelet and slotted pole end system and these poles had the correct ends to slot into the eyelets.
I used a Vango Steel King Poles 130cm (Pair) set to make up the back end pole. They are actually made of fibreglass and are flexible enough. Had to pull off the plastic end caps, saw off and drill out one of the slotting ends before gluing it onto the opposite end of a different pole section made to the correct length. Result one pole that works, if a bit stiff. It would have been simpler to have bought 2 sets of Chinese poles now that I know the Chinese poles are actually usable.

With the replacement of poles on this tent I now have a complete lightweight guest set, anyone fancy a long bike ride?